Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has been one of Capitol Hill’s loudest opponents of immigration reform – particularly toward a way to legalize the 11 million immigrants living illegally in the United States.

But it turns out that voters in King’s northwest Iowa district hold pretty friendly views on legalization and ultimately citizenship for undocumented immigrants, a new poll finds.

A poll being released later Wednesday by the American Action Network shows that 68 percent of voters in Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District supports an “earned pathway to legal status,” while 65 percent support an “earned pathway to citizenship.”

Of the Republican voters in King’s district, 70 percent back a path to legal status, while 51 percent back a pathway to citizenship.

The American Action Network is a conservative outside group that has been among the most prominent organizations advocating for immigration reform.

Support for a path to legalization goes even higher when specific requirements for that legal status is outlined, the poll finds.

In King’s district, 79 percent of voters would support a plan that would allow a path to legalization once steps are taken on border security, and if immigrants pass background checks, pay fines as well as current and back taxes, learn English, get “in the back of the line” of immigrants waiting to be admitted into the United States, and are barred from public benefits. That broadly reflects the requirements outlined in the Senate Gang of Eight bill. Only 18 percent would not support such a plan.

The poll also paints a picture of a district that is favorable to the general concept of overhauling the nation’s immigration laws. Nearly three-quarters, or 74 percent, of voters say immigration reform is a “very important issue,” according to the poll.

Meanwhile, 69 percent of voters said they support “comprehensive immigration reform,” while just 17 percent were opposed to the idea. Sixty-seven percent of Republican voters supported comprehensive immigration reform in the poll.

“Immigration reform is a hot-button topic for many, but it’s also an issue voters want solved,” Dan Conston, the group’s communications director, said Wednesday. “Hopefully with knowledge like this, the most ardent opponents of reform will pause to consider what they can support and how they can play a constructive role in fixing this broken immigration system.”

King, a well-known conservative stalwart, was drawn into a less-friendly district in the latest round of redistricting and fended off a challenge from Democrat Christie Vilsack last November. His district leans Republican by five points, according to the latest Cook Partisan Voting Index.

Although the poll was conducted in late June, it’s being released now as lawmakers from across the political spectrum chastise King for his comments toward young undocumented immigrants, commonly known as “Dreamers.”

In an interview with the conservative news site Newsmax, King said of the Dreamers: “For everyone who’s a valedictorian, there’s another 100 out there that weigh 130 pounds and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert.”

King was trying to make his case against legislation that would legalize young undocumented immigrants. Top House Republicans are working on a bill addressing that group of immigrants.

The American Action Network poll was conducted by the Tarrance Group, a Republican firm, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.8 percent. It surveyed 300 likely voters in King’s district.